About Forfar BESS Project

The proposed Forfar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be sited on land directly north of Carseview Road, Forfar.

Key Benefits

Provides energy security to the electrical network during times of reduced generation, for example when wind or solar generation is low and demand is high.

Long-term environmental benefits in the form of improved biodiversity and the ongoing sensitive site management for the duration of the proposed development’s lifespan, which is expected to be 35- 40 years.
Fast responding, dispatchable power when required.

Harnesses existing renewable energy produced within Scotland, reduces curtailments of renewable energy, improves resilience of the grid.

Helping Scotland meet its target of net zero by 2045 and government policy objectives on tackling climate change.

Local economic benefits both in terms of its construction and operation, generating jobs for installation, maintenance and it’s eventual remediation.

Key Partners

Vital Energi

Neo Environmental

FAQs

What is battery storage?

Battery storage enables energy from renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind farms to be stored. The battery charges (or collects energy) from the electricity grid during times when generation exceeds consumption then discharges when generation is insufficient for demand.

Why is battery storage important?

Increasing levels of green energy generation is the cornerstone of the UK’s transition to a net zero future. This requires building new wind turbines and solar farms which rely on natural resources, and as such, they are less controllable than the fossil fuel generators they are replacing. BESS supports the net zero transition by helping manage the additional difference in supply and demand this causes.

What does a battery storage system look like?

Battery storage units look similar to a small shipping container of a neutral colour, see image overleaf.

This project is still in the very early stages, and there is a significant amount of work in terms of design, technical studies and planning assessments still to do. As part of this, we would look to mitigate any visual impact of the proposed development.

Why was this location chosen?

We consider a range of factors when evaluating a location, such as planning and environmental factors. However, the main reason for choosing a location is the available capacity on the local grid. In this location, the proximity to the local substation nearby allows us to make use of existing electricity infrastructure to connect to the grid, which means we can minimise the impact on the environment and local community during construction.

How will you engage with the local community?

Throughout the consultation process, we will continue to work with people in the area and we invite ideas and feedback from all local communities and stakeholders.

How would any noise affect nearby homes and businesses?

The noise associated with the development is low and generally not heard above existing background levels. The plant will not run continuously, and the noise is of a low frequency. A full noise assessment will be provided as part of any future planning application, which will consider the effects on all noise sensitive receptors.

Will there be any disruption to the roads?

The only traffic generated from the development will be during construction, and this will be restricted to the delivery and installation of materials. Traffic will be controlled by a strict Construction Management Plan (CMP). Once operational, the proposed development would be controlled remotely, and it will only be necessary for a maintenance engineer to visit the site on an occasional basis.

How long will the works take?

The exact timeline for the construction of the development is yet to be confirmed. However, battery storage developments of this size typically take around 12 months to complete.

Will the BESS cause a safety/fire risk?

Each battery unit will have a fire detection and suppression system which is continually monitored. Each battery unit is housed separately to reduce the risk of fire spreading. The fire service will be consulted in development of this proposal.